By Jodie Symonds
FORMER Cockatoo CFA captain Graham Simpson said the Ash Wednesday Bushfire Education Centre (AWBEC) was a great example of a community bonding together to save the sentimental building.
During the devastating Ash Wednesday bushfires on 16 February 1983, the former kindergarten building was used for refuge from the blaze.
A CFA member for 39 years and chairman of the AWBEC committee, Mr Simpson said the Cardinia Shire Council planned to demolish the carousel-shaped building in 2011.
The hugely sentimental building where about 300 frightened people gathered was worth fighting for.
After years of fighting for the building to stay, the centrepiece of the town was officially opened in July this year.
“The town just rose up and basically said ‘no way’,” he said.
“I’ve been with it ever since.”
Mr Simpson told the Mail that he often reflected on his involvement with the CFA on Ash Wednesday.
It was hot and windy, the perfect conditions for a bushfire.
Mr Simpson had finished his shift at the Cockatoo CFA and noticed smoke gathering in the air.
“The Cockatoo bushfires broke about 7.30 (pm), and all CFA were committed elsewhere,” Mr Simpson said.
“I’d been working during the day since six o’clock that morning and I ended up not getting some sort of sleep until 43 hours later.”
Mr Simpson said the Ash Wednesday bushfires affected the community in more ways than one.
He said the devastation of what occurred on the day didn’t hit him until about 12 weeks later.
“At the time, I just didn’t think about it,” he said.
“I was outside one day and then all of a sudden I just sat and bawled.”
He said it was very emotional.
“We have visitors who come and tell us their stories about where they were at the time,” Mr Simpson said.
“It gives us the chance to educate others and for them to hear it from someone who was there.”
The building is now being used as an education centre for others to learn about a piece of history that devastated the community.
“It’s a magnificent building – from where it was, to where it is now,” Mr Simpson said.
“People have to come see it.”
Mr Simpson said on 3 September, the Ash Wednesday Bushfire Education Centre would be open every weekend from 10am-3pm.
